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OCALA BUSINESS JOURNAL: ON THE MOVE

News and notes from the business community from the February 2010 edition

Published: Friday, January 29, 2010 at 6:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 29, 2010 at 6:09 p.m.

TRANSITIONS

The board of Miller Bearings Inc., which has an office in Ocala, recently announced the election of William Bieberbach as president and David Morell as board chairman.

The American Business Women's Association is forming the Ocala Express Network and is inviting area businesswomen to join. For more information, contact Karen Rudolph at mkarenr@embarqmail.com or 529-2003.

Florida Community Bankshares, the holding company for Community Bank & Trust of Florida recently announced financial results for 2009. The company reported total assets of $526 million as of Dec. 31, and net income of $2 milion. Financial results are unaudited, with audited numbers expected by mid-March. The company reported total capital of $34 milion, with delinquent loans at 1.15 percent and non-performing loans at 2.7 percent of total loans outstanding.

Glen C. Fiorello was recently named Marion County's new building division manager.

The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County has released a Request for Proposals for selected services for its school-readiness core program services and the state-funded voluntary pre-kindergarten program from July 1, 2010-June 30, 2013. Requests for the RFP with attachments, and questions, should be directed to Roseann Fricks, executive director, at (352) 369-2315 or rfricks@elc-marion.org. Responses are due Feb. 26.

According to the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, Aksas Alouani is the new general manager at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Ocala Conference Center; Missy Pregeant has joined the Ocala Marriott Hotel Group as director of sales and marketing; Christie Evon was recently named sales coordinator for the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Ocala Conference Center; and Megan Eckdahl is working in outside sales at the Hampton Inn.

Meanwhile, the VCB is launching a new program entitled "Local Champions: Bringing Business Home" that encourages local members of organizations to hold gatherings in Marion County. When at least 50 room nights are booked, the VCB will award a $100 gift card for the referral that can be redeemed at the participant's favorite Marion County restaurant. A $50 gift card will be awarded when 25 room nights are booked.

APPLAUSE

Angie Sweeney, senior fire inspector/investigator for Marion County Fire Rescue has been named 2009 Fire Inspector of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association.

Workforce Connection received a Department of Labor ETA Pathways Out of Poverty Grant for $2.98 million to launch the West Ocala Green Jobs Project. The project is expected to serve 665 people over two years.

Central Florida Community College has received honors for Marketing and Public Relations Projects in Partnership with First Impressions Printing. The CFCC 2007-2008 Foundation Annual Report, created in partnership with First Impressions Printing of Ocala, received bronze honors from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 2. The CFCC 2007-2008 Annual Report, created with First Impressions Printing, earned first place honors from the Florida Association of Community Colleges, advocacy group of the 28 state colleges.

CarMax, Inc. has been named by Fortune magazine as one of its 2010 "100 Best Companies to Work For."

GOOD DEEDS

Dr. Michael Jordan, executive director of Marion County Children's Alliance has been named Marion March for Babies 2010 Chair.

Florida's Blood Centers recently donated $1 for each person attempting to donate blood to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, as well as more than 1,000 bottles of water and other relief supplies.

Marion County Fire Rescue collected nonperishable food, toys, jackets and other warm clothing primarily for Marion County school children through its Holiday Helpers program and helped more than 350 students.

Send news items to Richard Anguiano@starbanner.com or fax 867-4108. Please put "OBJ On the Move" in the subject line.

<p>TRANSITIONS</p><p>The board of Miller Bearings Inc., which has an office in Ocala, recently announced the election of William Bieberbach as president and David Morell as board chairman.</p><p>The American Business Women's Association is forming the Ocala Express Network and is inviting area businesswomen to join. For more information, contact Karen Rudolph at mkarenr@embarqmail.com or 529-2003.</p><p>Florida Community Bankshares, the holding company for Community Bank & Trust of Florida recently announced financial results for 2009. The company reported total assets of $526 million as of Dec. 31, and net income of $2 milion. Financial results are unaudited, with audited numbers expected by mid-March. The company reported total capital of $34 milion, with delinquent loans at 1.15 percent and non-performing loans at 2.7 percent of total loans outstanding.</p><p>Community Bank & Trust recently promoted Yvonne Whitler to vice president and Bonny Duggan to assistant vice president.</p><p>Glen C. Fiorello was recently named Marion County's new building division manager.</p><p>The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County has released a Request for Proposals for selected services for its school-readiness core program services and the state-funded voluntary pre-kindergarten program from July 1, 2010-June 30, 2013. Requests for the RFP with attachments, and questions, should be directed to Roseann Fricks, executive director, at (352) 369-2315 or rfricks@elc-marion.org. Responses are due Feb. 26.</p><p>Dr. Larry M. Perich and Dr. Joseph J. Ross recently opened the Omni Eye Institute in the Paddock Park Professional Center.</p><p>According to the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, Aksas Alouani is the new general manager at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Ocala Conference Center; Missy Pregeant has joined the Ocala Marriott Hotel Group as director of sales and marketing; Christie Evon was recently named sales coordinator for the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Ocala Conference Center; and Megan Eckdahl is working in outside sales at the Hampton Inn.</p><p>Meanwhile, the VCB is launching a new program entitled "Local Champions: Bringing Business Home" that encourages local members of organizations to hold gatherings in Marion County. When at least 50 room nights are booked, the VCB will award a $100 gift card for the referral that can be redeemed at the participant's favorite Marion County restaurant. A $50 gift card will be awarded when 25 room nights are booked.</p><p>APPLAUSE</p><p>Angie Sweeney, senior fire inspector/investigator for Marion County Fire Rescue has been named 2009 Fire Inspector of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association.</p><p>Workforce Connection received a Department of Labor ETA Pathways Out of Poverty Grant for $2.98 million to launch the West Ocala Green Jobs Project. The project is expected to serve 665 people over two years.</p><p>Moss & Associates recently completed the 12,000-square-foot Marion County Extension Auditorium after 13 months of work.</p><p>Central Florida Community College has received honors for Marketing and Public Relations Projects in Partnership with First Impressions Printing. The CFCC 2007-2008 Foundation Annual Report, created in partnership with First Impressions Printing of Ocala, received bronze honors from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 2. The CFCC 2007-2008 Annual Report, created with First Impressions Printing, earned first place honors from the Florida Association of Community Colleges, advocacy group of the 28 state colleges.</p><p>CarMax, Inc. has been named by Fortune magazine as one of its 2010 "100 Best Companies to Work For." </p><p>GOOD DEEDS</p><p>Dr. Michael Jordan, executive director of Marion County Children's Alliance has been named Marion March for Babies 2010 Chair. </p><p>Florida's Blood Centers recently donated $1 for each person attempting to donate blood to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, as well as more than 1,000 bottles of water and other relief supplies.</p><p>Marion County Fire Rescue collected nonperishable food, toys, jackets and other warm clothing primarily for Marion County school children through its Holiday Helpers program and helped more than 350 students.</p><p>Send news items to Richard Anguiano@starbanner.com or fax 867-4108. Please put "OBJ On the Move" in the subject line.</p>